A. Henig

Radiation-Pressure Acceleration of Ion Beams Driven by Circularly Polarized Laser Pulses

We present experimental studies on ion acceleration from ultrathin diamondlike carbon foils irradiated by ultrahigh contrast laser pulses of energy 0.7 J focused to peak intensities of 5x10(19) W/cm2. A reduction in electron heating is observed when the laser polarization is changed from linear to circular, leading to a pronounced peak in the fully ionized carbon spectrum at the optimum foil thickness of 5.3 nm. Two-dimensional particle-in-cell simulations reveal that those C6+ ions are for the first time dominantly accelerated in a phase-stable way by the laser radiation pressure.

Ion acceleration with ultra-thin foils using elliptically polarized laser pulses

We present theoretical considerations on the process of ion acceleration with ultra-thin foils irradiated by elliptically polarized, highly intense laser pulses. Very recently the radiation pressure acceleration regime was predicted where mono-energetic ion bunches can be produced with high efficiencies (Klimo et al 2008 Phys. Rev. ST Accel. Beams 11 031301; Robinson et al 2008 New J. Phys. 10 013021). We have studied the process by means of 1D particle-in-cell (PIC) simulations and analytical models and have considered effects of areal mass density of the target and laser ellipticity on the ion acceleration process. For certain target densities and laser parameters the optimum target thickness has been extracted. Peaked ion spectra are found for ellipticity beyond a threshold value of about 0.7. Here, we highlight the drastic difference between linear and circular polarization by movie animations.

Experimental demonstration of particle energy, conversion efficiency and spectral shape required for ion-based fast ignition

Research on fusion fast ignition (FI) initiated by laser-driven ion beams has made substantial progress in the last years. Compared with electrons, FI based on a beam of quasi-monoenergetic ions has the advantage of a more localized energy deposition, and stiffer particle transport, bringing the required total beam energy close to the theoretical minimum. Due to short pulse laser drive, the ion beam can easily deliver the 200 TW power required to ignite the compressed D–T fuel. In integrated calculations we recently simulated ion-based FI targets with high fusion gain targets and a proof of principle experiment [1]. These simulations identify three key requirements for the success of ion-driven fast ignition (IFI): (1) the generation of a sufficiently high-energetic ion beam (≈400–500 MeV for C), with (2) less than 20% energy spread at (3) more than 10% conversion efficiency of laser to beam energy. Here we present for the first time new experimental results, demonstrating all three parameters in separate experiments. Using diamond nanotargets and ultrahigh contrast laser pulses we were able to demonstrate >500 MeV carbon ions, as well as carbon pulses with ΔE/E < 20%. The first measurements put the total conversion efficiency of laser light into high energy carbon ions on the order of 10%.

Break-out afterburner ion acceleration in the longer laser pulse length regime

Kinetic simulations of break-out-afterburner (BOA) ion acceleration from nm-scale targets are examined in a longer pulse length regime than studied previously. It is shown that when the target becomes relativistically transparent to the laser, an epoch of dramatic acceleration of ions occurs that lasts until the electron density in the expanding target reduces to the critical density in the non-relativistic limit. For given laser parameters, the optimal target thickness yielding the highest maximum ion energy is one in which this time window for ion acceleration overlaps with the intensity peak of the laser pulse. A simple analytic model of relativistically induced transparency is presented for plasma expansion at the time-evolving sound speed, from which these times may be estimated. The maximum ion energy attainable is controlled by the finite acceleration volume and time over which the BOA acts.

Hybrid ion acceleration with ultrathin composite foils irradiated by high intensity circularly-polarized laser light

A complete analytical description of ion acceleration in the laser radiation-pressure regime is presented. The combined effects of hot electron and light-pressure phenomena are used to qualitatively and quantitatively describe most recent experimental results in this regime. An essential part of the developed model is exhibited in the calculation of nonlinear laser light reflection and transmission properties, as well as in the spectral characterization of the laser light after interaction. The validity of the analytical model is supported by recent experimental results and by particle-in-cell simulations.

The Petawatt Field Synthesizer: A New Approach to Ultrahigh Field Generation

The Petawatt Field Synthesizer (PFS) at MPQ will deliver few-cycle pulses at Petawatt power. Short-pulse OPCPA and a diode-pumped, CPA Yb:YAG pump laser are key technologies, and results of the ongoing development will be presented.

Dynamics of Nanometer-Scale Foil Targets Irradiated with Relativistically Intense Laser Pulses

In this letter we report on an experimental study of high harmonic radiation generated in nanometer-scale foil targets irradiated under normal incidence. The experiments constitute the rst unambiguous observation of odd-numbered relativistic harmonics generated by the ~ ~ B component of the Lorentz force verifying a long predicted property of solid target harmonics. Simultaneously the observed harmonic spectra allow in-situ extraction of the target density in an experimental scenario which is of utmost interest for applications such as ion acceleration by the radiation pressure of an ultraintense laser.

Micron-scale fast electron filaments and recirculation determined from rear-side optical emission in high-intensity laser–solid interactions

The transport of relativistic electrons generated in the interaction of petawatt class lasers with solid targets has been studied through measurements of the second harmonic optical emission from their rear surface. The high degree of polarization of the emission indicates that it is predominantly optical transition radiation (TR). A halo that surrounds the main region of emission is also polarized and is attributed to the effect of electron recirculation. The variation of the polarization state and intensity of radiation with the angle of observation indicates that the emission of TR is highly directional and provides evidence for the presence of mu m-size filaments. A brief discussion on the possible causes of such a fine electron beam structure is given.

Ultraintense laser interaction with nanoscale targets: a simple model for layer expansion and ion acceleration

A simple model has been derived for expansion of a thin (up to 100s of nm thickness) target initially of solid density irradiated by an ultraintense laser. In this regime, ion acceleration mechanisms, such as the Break-Out Afterburner (BOA) [1], emerge with the potential for dramatically improved energy, efficiency, and energy spread. Ion beams have been proposed [2] as drivers for fast ignition inertial confinement fusion [3]. Analysis of kinetic simulations of the BOA shows the period of enhanced acceleration occurs between times t1, when the target becomes relativistically transparent to the laser, and t2, when the target becomes classically underdense and the enhanced acceleration terminates. A simple model for target expansion has been derived that contains early, one-dimensional (1D) expansion of the target and three-dimensional (3D) expansion at late times. The model assumes expansion is slab-like at the instantaneous ion sound speed and requires as input target composition, laser intensity, laser spot area, and the efficiency of laser absorption into electron thermal energy.

Fission‐Fusion: A new reaction mechanism for nuclear astrophysics based on laser‐ion acceleration

We propose to produce neutron‐rich nuclei in the range of the astrophysical r‐process around the waiting point N = 126 by fissioning a dense laser‐accelerated thorium ion bunch in a thorium target (covered by a CH2 layer), where the light fission fragments of the beam fuse with the light fission fragments of the target. Via the ‘hole‐boring’ mode of laser Radiation Pressure Acceleration using a high‐intensity, short pulse laser, very efficiently bunches of 232Th with solid‐state density can be generated from a Th target and a deuterated CD2 foil, both forming the production target assembly. Laser‐accelerated Th ions with about 7 MeV/u will pass through a thin CH2 layer placed in front of a thicker second Th foil (both forming the reaction target) closely behind the production target and disintegrate into light and heavy fission fragments. In addition, light ions (d,C) from the CD2 layer of the production target will be accelerated as well, inducing the fission process of 232Th also in the second Th layer....